Ben Carter
Candle tunneling is a common issue with container candles, where a small circle of wax melts around the wick, creating a tunnel of unburned wax around the outside edge. This is often caused by a wick that is too small or a first lighting that is too brief, but there are several ways to fix it. Firstly, you can use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container, removing the candle's memory of previous melts. Alternatively, you can use the foil trick to insulate the candle and increase the heat, causing the excess wax to melt. Finally, you can gently remove the higher wax along the edges with a spoon or knife, although this method may reduce the candle's burn time.
How to fix a candle that has tunneled:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevention | Burn the candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of wax is melted, ideally 1-4 hours depending on the candle size. |
| Aluminum foil | Cover the top of the candle with aluminum foil, leaving a small opening for the wick and flame. The foil increases the heat while keeping the vessel insulated, causing the excess wax to melt. |
| Hair dryer | Use a hair dryer to melt the wax to the edge of the container. Use a low setting and hold the hair dryer far enough away to avoid spattering any wax. |
| Wick | Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting. |
| Candle topper | Use a candle topper, also known as an "illuma-lid," to stabilize the flame and distribute it uniformly across the surface of the candle. |
| Spoon | Use a spoon to gently remove the higher wax along the edges. |
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What You'll Learn
Use a hair dryer to melt the wax around the edges
If your candle has tunnelled, one way to fix it is to use a hair dryer to melt the wax around the edges. This method works best if your candle has only just started to tunnel, as it can prevent the problem from worsening.
First, extinguish the flame if it is lit. Then, turn on your hair dryer and hold it at a safe distance from the candle, slowly moving it closer until you reach an appropriate distance. Be careful not to hold the hair dryer too close, as this could cause melted wax to spatter. Use a low setting and, for safety, wear eye protection and clothes that can be washed in case any wax gets on them. You can lay some old newspaper beneath the candle to protect your table or floor.
Continue heating the candle until the wax around the edges has melted and smoothed over. This may take several minutes, depending on how hot your hair dryer gets. Once the wax has melted, relight your candle and let it burn for at least 30 minutes or until you can no longer see any signs of tunnelling. Finally, set your candle aside and allow the wax to harden over the next few days.
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Cover the candle with aluminium foil
Covering a candle with aluminium foil is a popular trick to fix candle tunnelling. This method can be used to prevent tunnelling from happening in the first place, or to correct a candle that has already started to tunnel.
To use this method, cut or fold a small opening (around 1 inch) in the centre of a sheet of aluminium foil. Place the foil over the top of the candle, light the wick, and then replace the foil cover. Allow the candle to burn for a few hours until the top surface of wax has completely melted and smoothed over. Set the candle aside and let the wax harden over the next few days.
The aluminium foil helps to hold in enough heat to melt the entire surface of wax. This "resets the memory" of the wax, so that the next time you light the candle, the wax will reach the edges of the container.
If your flame goes out when you put the foil on, the opening might be too small. Widen the hole and try again.
While this is a simple and effective trick, it may not work for candles with deep tunnels.
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Trim the wick and remove debris
Trimming the wick is an important step in preventing candle tunneling. It is recommended to trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each lighting, using a candle wick trimmer or scissors. This enables a cleaner, more consistent burn and prevents debris from falling into the wax, which can create smoke and soot.
When trimming the wick, it is important to remove any debris inside the tunnel, such as excess wax or black residue. This can be done carefully with a butter knife or spoon, by gently scraping or digging around the wick to expose it and give it some air. It is important to be gentle during this process to avoid damaging the wick or the container.
If the wick is too short or damaged, it may need to be replaced with a new one of the appropriate size. The new wick should be centred and adjusted to the correct length for a proper burn.
In addition to wick maintenance, it is crucial to follow proper burning techniques to prevent tunneling. This includes allowing the candle to burn long enough during its first use, typically between one to four hours, to create a "memory" in the wax. This ensures that the wax melts evenly to the edges of the container and helps prevent tunneling during subsequent burns.
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Melt the wax with an external heat source
To fix a candle that has tunneled, you can melt the wax with an external heat source. Here are some detailed steps to help you do this:
Firstly, ensure that the candle is not lit. For your safety, it is important to wear protective clothing that can be washed if wax spatters and to cover the surface you are working on with old newspaper. You should also wear eye protection.
Next, you will need to choose an external heat source. A heat gun is ideal, but a hair dryer can also be used. Turn it on at a low setting and hold it at a distance from the candle. Move the heat source slowly closer until you reach an appropriate distance. Be careful not to hold it too close or to angle it directly over the candle, as this may cause melted wax to spatter.
The goal is to melt the wax surrounding the tunnel and create an even surface again. This process is sometimes called "'resetting the memory' of the wax", as it will help the wax to melt evenly the next time you light the candle.
If your candle has a deep tunnel, you may need to spend a lot of time melting and removing the excess wax. Alternatively, you can try gently scooping out the excess wax with a spoon or butter knife until the surface is level.
Another option is to place the candle in a low oven between burns to melt the wax and keep it even.
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Scoop out the unmelted wax
If your candle has tunneled, one way to fix it is to scoop out the unmelted wax. This method works especially well if the wick is "drowning" in wax.
To do this, use a butter knife or spoon to gently scrape away the unburned wax around the edges, making the candle as flat as possible. Be careful not to damage the candle wick or container while doing so. If your wick is too short, dig around to expose it and ensure it is the correct length for a proper burn. If it is beyond saving, consider replacing it with a new wick of the appropriate size.
Once you have scooped out the wax, you can light the candle and let it burn. Be sure to let it burn long enough for the pool of melted wax to reach the edge of the container. This will help to reset the "memory" of the wax and prevent further tunneling.
Another similar method is to use a hair dryer or heat gun to melt the hardened wax around the edges of the container. This also resets the "memory" of the wax and widens the melt pool. When using a hair dryer, be sure to hold it far away from the candle and slowly move it closer to avoid spattering any wax.
Remember to always trim your wick and remove any debris before lighting your candle to ensure a clean and consistent burn.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle tunneling occurs when only a small circle of wax melts around the wick while the candle is burning, instead of across the entire surface of the candle.
To prevent candle tunneling, burn your candle long enough each time so that the entire top surface of wax is melted. The average burn time for the first use should be anywhere between one to four hours, depending on the size of the candle.
To fix a candle that has tunneled, melt the outer wax surrounding the tunnel and make the surface even again. You can use a hairdryer or heat gun to melt the wax. Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil to cover the top of the candle, with a small hole in the center for the wick and flame.
Candles tunnel due to incorrectly sized wicks, the ingredients in the candle fragrance clogging the wick, or the candle not being burned long enough the first time.
